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Racing to You

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The last person she wanted to ask for help is the man who destroyed her father’s life.

Hot air balloon pilot Emily Kerr needs to enter a coast-to-coast race across America to raise funds and start her own ballooning business. Her only obstacle is finding a sponsor.

Reid Martin is an industrial textile manufacturer who has developed a promising high-tech material, but he needs to test it in a practical setting before selling it to the Department of Defense. With a government contract in hand, Reid can take his family company public, saving it from bankruptcy.

Despite her reservations, Emily offers Reid an enticing opportunity to get a first-hand look at what his fabric can do. He agrees to help the intriguing woman but with two stipulations:

1. She must use the balloon he constructs
2. He will accompany her on the three-week trip

While floating across the sky, Emily reluctantly accepts the appealing man’s presence while vowing not to let him touch her heart. Will Reid risk everything—including Emily’s dream and his hope of winning her love—to save his future?

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2022

1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read

About the author

Susan Carlisle

347 books234 followers
Susan Carlisle’s love affair with books began when she made a bad grade in math in the sixth grade. Not allowed to watch TV until she brought the grade up, Susan filled her time with books. She turned her love of reading into a passion for writing. With over 25 books for Harlequin and Masters of Their Castles series under her own imprint. She writes steamy romances with sexy heros and the strong women that captivate them.
She lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband of over 35 years. Susan loves castles, traveling, sewing, afternoon tea and reads voraciously.
Visit her at http://www.SusanCarlisle.com

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Nas Dean.
835 reviews38 followers
May 11, 2022
RACING TO YOU by Susan Carlisle is a May 2022 release.

Emily Kerr needed Reid Martin to sponsor her hot air balloon race. But after meeting Reid, she had to think if she made a mistake as he insisted on accompanying her. Staying in close proximity, she recognized the scorching chemistry between them.

What would she do now? Could she give in to the passion flaring between them?

And what would Emily do when she finds out the secret Reid was hiding?

RACING TO YOU is an emotionally compelling, beautifully executed story about Emily’s struggle to win in the small community of hot air balloon and its pilots. Despite its emotions, the overall message is one of love and hope. A touching story full of humor and compassion.

Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
Profile Image for Amelia.
794 reviews20 followers
May 20, 2022
There are numerous adventures in RACING TO YOU along with an unexpected budding romance, and what happens to the two people involved in both is always entertaining. Susan Carlisle makes the first installment in the Love in the Air series repeatedly fascinating with all the details given about ballooning, and I often felt as though I was right there with the characters experiencing the compelling moments with them. Between all the legs of the balloon race, there are quite a few emotional developments occurring between the main romantic couple, and what transpires is believable and frequently affecting.

The desire to own a ballooning company can be a step closer if Emily Kerr can do well in a competition for numerous balloonists. As a pilot, she knows how to navigate all aspects of flying the craft, but a sponsor is needed or her dream may never come true. Though Emily does not respect Reid Martin at all because as his past conduct with her father, the businessman could be her last hope of being a contender in the race. When she approaches him, he agrees to her proposal but does insist that he goes along with her plus his own material be used for the balloon. A compromise is made, and now Emily and Reid will spend three weeks together as reluctant team members.

I enjoy a story where I feel as though I am involved in whatever is going on, and the feeling of soaring above the ground at times had me smiling. Susan Carlisle definitely did lots of research on ballooning, as her colorful descriptions had me experiencing all the different aspects that go into making a flight successful. Even the many essential specifics which go on before and after a flight were given, making me really want try out this sport for myself.

Emily is an independent woman, and her interactions with Reid are filled with quick-wit and plenty of straight-to-the-point comments. I laughed at times when the unspoken thoughts of this couple were disclosed, and their verbal responses were always honest. Even though these two had their own agendas for being in the race, what happens throughout the story has their plans overlapping at times while leaving them repeatedly confused again and again. This intriguing series is off to a wonderful start.
Profile Image for Patty Duplechin.
779 reviews9 followers
May 18, 2022
Emily Kerr is a hot air balloon pilot who wants to show her ex that she is a great pilot. She asks Reid Martin, the man who fired her father and devastated her father, to sponsor her flight. If she wins she can start her own ballooning business. He is an obstacle she’ll just have to get over because no one else will sponsor her thanks to her ex. Reid is trying to develop a new high-tech material that he wants to sell to the Department of Defense but needs to try it out first. So Reid is willing to help her if she agrees to his two stipulations, 1) he is allowed on the trip and 2) if she uses his balloon that he makes. She agrees so off they go along with her helper, Billy. What could go wrong? Emily finds Reid very attractive but she must stay focused on the race in front of her. Reid feels the same way. After all, he never told her the truth and he needs this contract to keep his father’s company afloat. As they go cross country for the race, they notice things not quite right. Is someone sabotaging her equipment? Will she find out who it is if it’s true? Once she learns of Reid’s secret will she forgive him? Will she win? She’s a strong woman who needs to learn to trust. Will they walk away after the race? Will Reid saves his father’s company. Two strong characters who need to learn to trust, love and forgive.
Profile Image for Eileen.
2,698 reviews
May 16, 2022
Imagine yourself floating through the sky while riding in a hot air balloon as you read Racing to You by Susan Carlisle, book one in the Love in the Air series. This is an emotional, beautiful story about Emily Kerr’s struggle to participate, and hopefully win, a hot air balloon race. Emily is in need of a sponsor and reluctantly approaches Reid Martin to sponsor her involvement in the race. After meeting Reid, she wondered if she made a mistake as he insisted on go with her, being part of her crew As these two journeyed across the country, the attraction between Emily and Reid grew to the point where the chemistry was off the charts and electrifying. Just one thing stood between them, Reid had a secret, one he wasn’t sharing; until he had to.

Ms. Carlisle wrote a wonderful, heartwarming, emotional and enjoyable romance that should not be missed. She provided a tale with an overall message of love and hope, rich with emotions, magnetic attraction, chemistry, and endearing characters, giving Emily and Reid a chance for a loving future together. I highly recommend Racing to You to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews.
5,476 reviews177 followers
September 11, 2022
Balloons, adventure and love? Sounds like a great combination!

I already knew I loved the books of Susan Carlisle and as soon as I saw this one, I had to read it. I’m hooked. This is a fantastic start to the series, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. The writing had me racing through it to see how this ended. I loved the characters and the story.

I love the enemies to lovers situation in this story. Emily wants to make her dreams come true and own a ballooning company. She can do that if she can win some ballooning competitions, but she needs a sponsor. Enter Reid. He’s got a past she doesn’t like, and they don’t get along right away. I loved that these two had to sort out their issues. I felt like I was right there with them in the balloon and could practically feel the air whooshing around me. The chemistry was great between Emily and Reid. I can’t wait for more.

If you’re interested in a great story with fun characters, then try this book by Susan Carlisle. You won’t be disappointed.
Profile Image for Judy Christiana.
1,003 reviews15 followers
April 14, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable story! I loved the plot. I always thought air balloons were so beautiful, but never thought to look into all that was involved in them flying. Along with a lovely romance with a truly meant to-be-together couple, the reader is taken along on a race between air balloons.

This was a light read, without heavy drama going on, and it is perfect for a time when an escape from real life is needed.

I recently discovered this author and am slowly trying to read her books. I am fast becoming a huge fan of her work. Also, I want to add that this book cover is fantastic and definitely goes with the story!
Profile Image for Janie.
1,535 reviews15 followers
May 28, 2022
Natalie was looking for someone to sponsor her in a balloon race in order to get her business off the ground because she needed the money to open her own business. She sought out Reid and after getting her to agree to use his company's material for the balloon they set off across the country. Natalie didn't expect her feelings for Reid to progress because she was burned in the not-too-distant past, and Reid had his own agenda, but they found that the chemistry between them was too hard to resist.
Profile Image for Lynn Brooks.
3,538 reviews46 followers
May 20, 2022
4 1/2 STARS!

A delightful bit of escapism! With solid characters and an interesting subject that we don't hear much about, RACING TO YOU was a refreshing bit of sweetness for this reader. Not only do we get a taste of the ballooning industry, but we get a fresh take on an enemies to lovers trope and a rewarding happily ever after. Highly enjoyed!
136 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2023
Natalie need a sponsor to enter the hot air balloon race. She need the prize money to set up her new business and win over her ex-boyfriend. Her last resort was the man and the company that had sacked her father (Reid). Little did she know that she was going to be testing a new fabric the company was developing and that they would develop feelings for each other. A great read.
870 reviews8 followers
June 24, 2023
The sky is the limit...

... for Emily's career as a balloonist and for Reid's new product and company. But there were a lot of challenges and hirdles for them to overcome both for their individual goals and as Team Float Away to win the cross-country race.

I received an ARC copy of this story directly from the author and voluntarily chose to share my review.
Profile Image for CR.
4,205 reviews42 followers
July 22, 2022
Thank you Susan for sending another one of your titles our way. This one was great and I await the next one! Ive always had a fascination with hot air balloon's so this one was a fun ride. This was a great story of struggle, love, and a journey. I had fun reading it and can't wait for the next one.
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